“It’s not the plan, it is the planning that will determine your success.” The baritoned voice of the DeSoto City councilman growled at me. This was early advice as Project HAND UP started down the path of being a real entity that existed in the world, and not merely a hyped up idea of an ambitious performing artist. So we adjusted the plan. TheClick for more info!

Why not? We have been very fortunate to work with custom puppet “engineers” here at Project HAND UP. They had designed and built our animal puppets when we first launched. When we began our charity in tandem with the project from the Rotary Club of DeSoto, the District Governor Elect of District 5810 came to visit our office. Now it must be noted that our DeSoto storage/office isClick for more info!

It’s Saturday and I have stopped by our offices at Nyayo Stadium to take care of some business before we head back into the studio in the neighborhood of South B in Nairobi, Kenya. The Rotary Foundation grant that we are fulfilling right now includes providing equipment and training videos for young artists. It’s a task that is a little bit outside of theClick for more info!

It’s hard to be away from Kenya RIGHT NOW. Galen and Nate are on vacation; road-tripping around Africa. The puppeteers have travelled to their relatives homes in the countryside of Kenya. I am visiting my folks in Washington state. It’s the holidays. We are supposed to take a few weeks off, right? Humf. I think we all agree that we can’t wait to getClick for more info!

It’s 10 minutes to midnight on Thanksgiving – and everyone on my Facebook feed is posting delicious pictures. What a week. I don’t care if you are the bird or the country, its not a good time to be “Turkey.” Unless you live here. Where turkeys, cranes, storks, vultures (one, at least) geese, guinea fowl, chickens, ducks, (i’m getting tired of naming birds), africanClick for more info!

You are doing a wonderful job. Your training sessions are one of my best in my life. This is unique because you make sure that every trainee participates during the training period. It was so encouraging because one believed she / he can DO IT! I now see and know the need of the puppets! May you expand and move from one place to another; training our brothers and sisters in Kenya.

Our Philosophy

“Second Giving” - Our perspective on charitable donations.
People are hurting, hungry, and homeless everywhere. In light of this fact we believe that national and international financial giving should be considered second to local efforts; that charity should begin at home.